Inspired to Ride

Dear Younger Me…

So, you’ve decided to start horseback riding, have you? Well, let me start off by saying it’s not going to be easy. But I guess I shouldn’t start off negative, right?

Horse riding is very rewarding and enjoyable. There’s nothing more amazing and life changing than getting on the back of a 1,000 pound animal. I am a true believer that horses are the best secret keepers EVER! They will never ever tell 😊 Personally, I do believe that it is a sport. I mean, it is in the Olympics. But horse riding isn’t only a sport where you compete, but it is so much more than that. It is a commitment and a character building experience. It builds strength, perseverance, and a will to never, EVER give up.

Don’t ever let the bad days get you down. You might be thinking… bad days? How can bad days happen when you are working with horses? I have to admit; unfortunately, you will have some discouraging days, but one thing I have learned is that when you are having a bad day, the likelihood of your horse having a bad day is pretty high too. So be happy and joyful when you are at the barn! Be thankful and grateful for the opportunities you have, even when you are discouraged or down. Be grateful even when your thighs are aching after a hard lesson and your legs feel like noodles. Be grateful even if your horse isn’t cooperating with you. Be grateful for your coaches and mentors, remembering that they all won’t be perfect.

Girl, never give up on your dreams and aspirations. Pardon the cliché, but shoot for the stars. Give horse riding your all and your everything and, trust me, you will get where you want to be. Surround yourself with horsey friends who will lift you up, not tear you down. Surround yourself with friends who will guide you and support you. Friends and mentors make your riding journey a LOT better! When riding, always be willing to learn. Learn as much as you can. Soak up the information. Learning can transform you into the horse rider you want to be. Something I want to share with you, is that horse riding can give you confidence to feel good about yourself. It can give you confidence to deal with your insecurities. Never forget that! Before I end, I want to say to you, that horse riding is such a humbling and honoring experience. The people you meet, the horses you ride, the experiences you have are all factors of your own unique riding journey. I want to leave you with a quote that I feel will help you in the future.

“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you’re still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” ~ Tony Robbins

6 comments

So true! I love the Tony quote at the bottom too, he’s one of my favorite inspirational role models. Having a young horse means there are plenty of “bad days” or days filled with new learning experiences. I always try to be grateful for each ride.